He is expected to take his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a final bid to reduce the sanctions that, as they stand, will keep him out of club football until the end of October.

Suarez can also ask CAS to put his ban on hold pending its final decision, but that would risk him missing more matches rather than a chunk of preseason if the court upholds the sanctions.

FIFA's original ban took into account that Suarez had shown no remorse for the biting incident, his third such attack in less than four years.

LUIS SUAREZ 2013-14 SEASON IN NUMBERS

• 31 - Premier League goals, winning the Golden Boot.
• 12 - Most assists in the Premier League.
• 24 - Scored the most goals from inside the box.
• 4 - Scored the most goals from counterattacks.
• 9 - Had the most shots that hit the woodwork.
• 3 - Most penalties won in the Premier League.
• 237 - Attempted more dribbles than any other player.

The player then issued an official apology but it did not lead to any change of mind by the FIFA appeals panel.

Suarez's lawyer on Friday claimed the punishment was "blatantly draconian, totalitarian and fascist.''

Alejandro Balbi told Spanish radio station Cope: "The right of a footballer to work is being violated, and football should be worried about that.

"The nine [international] games may seem excessive, but the fact that he can't watch a game of football, or train or carry out his job, we are talking about unpleasant things.''